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Fsus4 Chord

Fsus4 holds B flat, the fourth, where a major chord would use its third. Letting that fourth move to the third is the small release to listen for.

  • Notes: F-B flat-C
  • Symbol: Fsus4
  • Vsus4 in Bb major
  • Fourth instead of third
Switch chordFsus4

How to play an Fsus4 chord

Notes: F - Bb - C · symbol Fsus4

  • Root position

    F - Bb - C
    C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    Bb - C - F
    C5
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    C - F - Bb
    C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does Fsus4 belong?

The fourth takes the third's place, making Fsus4 useful as a brief delay before the major chord.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In Bb majorDelayed dominant
    Vsus4

    The fourth holds back the third for a moment before the V resolves to Bb.

    BbIFsus4Vsus4FVBbI
  • In F majorSuspension and release
    Isus4

    Lift the third to the fourth and let it fall back: a classic rhythm guitar move.

    FIFsus4Isus4FI

Progressions to try

  • BbFsus4FBb

    Hold Fsus4 before the ordinary major chord on the same root; the suspended note then resolves into the third.

  • FFsus4F

    The home chord briefly becomes Fsus4 and releases without changing the bass.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with 113311, a barre at the 1st fret. Press the barred notes evenly and mute any strings marked x. The x-8-8-10-11-8 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, the open shape 3011 is the easiest place to start. The 3563 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play F-B flat-C. Move F up an octave to reach the first inversion, B flat-C-F; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

F is the root, B flat the fourth and C the fifth. There is no third in this chord.

  • Root position: F-B flat-C, with F lowest.
  • First inversion: B flat-C-F, written Fsus4/Bb if B flat is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: C-F-B flat, written Fsus4/C if C is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Fsus4 differ from F?

Keep F and C while B flat moves down to A. That resolves Fsus4 into F; the root and fifth never moved. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See F for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Fsus4

    F - Bb - C
    C5

    F sus4

  • F

    F - A - C
    C5

    F major

Try another chord